< 124. In Search of the Scream (1) >
#124
“…Why did so many people gather together?”
Even though it was early in the morning the kitchen was full of familiar people. I was curious as to how it got here since I never said anything. Iril who found him shouted with joy.
“oh! Ronan is awake!”
“Sister. “What happened?”
“Hehe I don’t know either. “Except for your friends everyone comes in their turn?”
Iril explained that everyone came separately at similar times. It didn’t mean they came at someone’s invitation but that each person really came because they thought of Ronan. Nabirose who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed opened her mouth.
“It’s natural. “I heard that my disciple is going on a long training trip.”
“To be exact it is something to do rather than practice. This is why swordsmen with brains made of muscle…gag!”
In an instant Nabirose’s elbow disappeared. Sigh! As soon as a dull sound rang out Jarudin fell to the ground. Varen Panasir who was watching the scene smiled kindly.
“Haha you two are still the same. “It’s nice to see.”
“Baren….”
“I heard it might be a long journey. As Instructor Nabirose said it is natural to attend events like this.”
Varen was bending down to avoid breaking the ceiling light. At that time the boy who was trembling behind Varen approached Ronan.
“It’s late to say thank you.”
“Ah Balus. How are you?”
He was Balus a former poacher and fellow member of Ronan’s punishment unit. He was almost unrecognizable because of his overall slovenly appearance. He who was mumbling what he said suddenly started to have tears in his eyes.
“Why are you dragging my feet when I ask how are you doing? “You will have bad luck.”
“I feel like I have found the meaning of life for the first time in my life. “I really don’t know how to thank you….”
“Oh my… Varen cut this bastard down. “What can you use something so fragile for?”
“Hehe Mr. Balus is the best assistant. “They are doing really well.”
Varen put his hand on Balus’ shoulder. He said Varen’s work speed has almost doubled since he started helping him with his work. In any case it was a much better ending than becoming a poacher and being taken to a punishment unit. Ronan laughed and patted Balus on the back.
“Keep up the good work. awesome.”
“yes. certainly…!”
Balus bent his waist in half. Preparations for a meal were in full swing around the brazier. Iril said as he handed out the plates containing the food to Schlieffen.
“Mr Schlieffen! Could you please leave this on the table? “It’s hot so be careful.”
“egg. “I will.”
Schlieffen accepted the plate offered by Iril with a stiff movement. It was truly a sight to see him wearing an apron before he knew it.
‘It’s a masterpiece. ‘She is the morning star of the empire carrying dishes under the instructions of a commoner woman.’
I thought that if a painting was produced using Didican’s machine it would sell for a very high price. Marja rolled up her sleeves and lifted the pot containing her stew.
“Give me the pot sister. “I will carry you.”
“Wow Marya is really strong…!”
Iril exclaimed with a twinkle in her eye. The members of her special adventure club including Asher and Marya were helping her set the table as if it were a natural thing.
“Thank you Asher for coming too! “It’s so nice to be neighbors here too!”
“Yes yes! “I like it too!”
Judging by her quick demeanor she must have arrived long before her professors. Even though I didn’t ask for it they were a bunch of idiots anyway. Ronan was just about to help.
“ok?”
A familiar girl caught her eye. Her dark purple hair was frizzy as if she had just woken up. Even as she used her telekinesis to carry the dishes her eyes were always fixed on Iril’s face.
“I never thought there would be someone prettier than Adeshan in the world….”
It was Erzsebet the daughter of the great family Akalusia. The Dawn Tower medal given to her by Aun Pillar was sparkling on her lapel. Ronan shook her hand happily.
“Hey it’s been a while.”
“Hot Ronan…!”
Only then did Erzébet who came to her senses shrug her shoulders. After facing Ronan for a moment she quickly turned her head. The memory of applying potion to his bare body came back to her.
“…Ade Shan was just following her sister! “I didn’t know that Grancia’s eldest son would come.”
“Okay thank you. “It must not have been easy to wake up at this hour.”
Ronan smiled bitterly. Erzébet who was pursing her lips mumbled in a voice the size of an ant.
“…I heard the news. “Please be careful.”
Her ears sticking out through her hair were red. She turned around and started putting down her dishes again. At that time her voice was heard right behind Ronan.
“Women are very lucky.”
“senior?”
“Besides they are all beautiful women.”
Ronan turned her head. Ade Shan was wearing her apron and she was smiling brightly. She opened her mouth without erasing the smile in her eyes.
“I’m ready. “Let’s eat quickly.”
Ronan flinched. I’m smiling but it doesn’t seem like I’m laughing. His voice was strangely subdued as if he was somehow angry.
“…Are you by any chance angry?”
“no. “Why would I be angry?”
“Then I’m glad. “When I come back let’s go up that hill together again.”
Ade Shan’s eyes widened. She was silent for a moment before answering in her more subdued voice.
“…huh.”
Seeing her relaxed expression made me feel relieved for some reason. Nabirose who was quietly watching the two people laughed.
“You’ve made some progress.”
When the meal was ready everyone sat down around the table. Ronan’s seat was between Iril and Adeshan.
As he saw the welcoming faces he realized that he had made a good decision to move to the island. If it had been like Nimburton’s house no one would have been able to come in.
Potato stew was bubbling in a huge pot. Iril shouted spreading her arms wide.
“Hehehe thank you for coming together like this for my younger brother. Everyone eat a lot!”
“well. “I will eat it.”
The meal began with Schlieffen mechanically scooping up the stew. Judging by the momentum it seemed like there was no need to worry about leftovers. First the educational staff took turns leaving a message.
“Have a nice trip Ronan. “Don’t forget that you promised to train twice as much when you get back.”
“I can’t encourage you because I’m afraid you’re a barbarian but I’m threatening you. “If there is a problem with your mana I will take immediate action so please rest assured.”
“I hope you come quickly. Because I have to do the next club activity. “Anyway this stew is really delicious but is it really made with potatoes?”
Varen and Nabirose Jarudin gave encouragement and their own advice. Next was Iril. She cleared her throat uncharacteristically and opened her mouth to face Ronan.
“Hmm Ronan. I was told that it was a dangerous task and I thought about it a lot on my own but I decided not to stop it. “Because I can’t be the older sister and hold her brother back.”
“Sister.”
“Just promise me you’ll come back. “That’s enough.”
There was no trace of a smile on Iril’s face as she kept her mouth shut. It was a serious expression on her face that I had never seen before. Ronan silently nodded her head.
“I promise.”
“Ehehe…thank you.”
Only then did Iril let out a bashful laugh. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and kissed Ronan’s cheek. Afterwards she received words of encouragement from club members Hergé Bet Balus and Ade Shan in turn.
“I’ll wait here. “Achieve what you want.”
At the end of Adeshan’s words silence came. My throat was so tight that I felt like I could only enjoy the meal if I uttered at least one word of determination. Ronan swallowed the stew he was chewing and opened his mouth.
“You know…”
Ronan trailed off at her. She clearly had a lot to say but she couldn’t remember. As if dust had gotten into her her eyes suddenly became stinging. After looking up at the ceiling for a moment he lowered his head again.
“Thank you everyone.”
Ronan grinned. No matter how much I thought about it I couldn’t think of a better word. Before long eating resumed. As he expected there was not even a spoonful of Iril’s potato stew left.
****
After a simple farewell party Ronan went straight to Haeju. Only the members of the Special Adventure Club and Sita saw him off to the entrance of Separaccio in Jaradin’s office. Asher cried and opened her mouth.
“Ro Ronan…will you be here soon?”
“Would you be able to do that? “It will take at least a month.”
Ronan chuckled. It was half joking and half serious. He received such a grand send-off but if he came back in a day or two he would not have received that much. He messed up Asher’s hair and looked around at the members and said.
“I couldn’t tell you before but I’m really grateful to everyone. “I’m working hard.”
“don’t worry.”
“Hahaha! “You sound like a person going to die so please refrain from saying things like that!”
“Be sure to come. “If you don’t come back I will kill you.”
“Bye…!”
Sita rubbed her face against her cheek. The greeting ended with a breathtaking hug from Marja. Schlieffen was the only one who did not say a word. Ronan frowned.
“You unlucky bastard. “You followed me all the way here and took the weight?”
“I know you will come back anyway. “I hope you can return quickly before your body becomes dull.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
Ronan laughed. His expression suddenly hardened and he took long strides toward Schlieffen. Ronan opened his mouth pressing his face against his until their noses were touching.
“I don’t expect much from you.”
The sunset-colored eyes were sparkling as if they were burning. Schlieffen was unfazed by the ferocious force that threatened to tear him to death at any moment. After a brief pause Ronan continued speaking.
“Protect your sister.”
“I swear.”
Schlieffen nodded his head gravely. Ronan tapped him on the shoulder and turned around. The encouragement of the members could be heard from behind. The dark hallway engulfed Ronan’s back.
“Are you here?”
“sorry. “It’s a little late.”
As soon as I left the hallway Sepparachio appeared. The first thing I noticed was a much more complicated magic circle.
The geometric patterns covered not only the floor but also the walls and ceiling. Secret still in the form of a girl greeted him.
“no. “It’s a wonderful thing to be loved.”
Secret laughed. He knew what kind of sendoff Ronan had received. Ronan shook his head without denying anything.
“Yes of course.”
“It’s nice to be honest.”
“So…you’re going to put that in my head?”
Ronan pointed to the middle of the study with the tip of his chin. A black mass reminiscent of the devil’s heart was floating in the air and pulsing.
This time the curse that Ronan had to break was realized. The three Krits nodded with mixed expressions.
“okay.”
“Is it okay if I kill the culprit behind my curse this time?”
“It’s accurate. “Just like last time you’ll be able to recognize it at a glance.”
Secret explained the precautions to take when doing it. He emphasized that although the technique has been improved and stability has been increased it is still a dangerous task.
“The magic stone you brought is so good that it won’t come loose along the way. Now it’s all up to you.”
“It’s always been like that. “I’m ready.”
“Then let’s begin.”
Ronan sat cross-legged beneath his lump. Secret placed his hand on his forehead.
Paaaa…! A bright light emanated from the magic circle that covered the study. The huge mass was compressed into a smaller size and began to flow into Ronan’s head.
“Keuuuu…!”
“Don’t wait for me to come back.”
Ronan gritted his teeth as he felt the eerie sensation of his brain being submerged in ice water. A song-like chant was flowing from Secret’s mouth.
I felt my consciousness slowly slipping away. Ronan closed his eyes unable to overcome the waves of water coming at him like a tidal wave. It was the moment when the last rope that maintained reason was cut.
.
.
.
“wake up! “You damn bastard!!”
An angry cry rang out from nearby. Ronan opened his eyes. Wooden buildings were blocking the view on both sides. Feather-like clouds were flowing clearly in the narrow blue sky.
“This place…?”
Ronan noticed that he was lying down. I felt like my back was stiff as if I had been doing this for a long time. The vaguely shadowed area seemed to be a back alley of some city or village.
“I don’t have a knife.”
Out of habit I felt around my waist but both swords were not strapped. His slightly larger hand caught his eye. Have you safely entered the world of imagination? While he was thinking that cold liquid was splashed on his face.
“Phew!”
Sigh! Fishy muddy water seeped into my eyes and nostrils. Ronan who was suddenly attacked jumped out of his seat and stood up.
There was dirt in his eyes and he couldn’t see clearly. At that moment something hard hit him under his cheekbone. Wow! As soon as his head was thrown back roughly a strong hand grabbed Ronan’s collar. A voice filled with the same anger as before rang in my ears.
“You damn bastard. Can’t you hear me telling you to wake up?! “This is our area so go somewhere else!”
“Ah…fuck….”
Ronan brushed his bangs and turned his head. A fat and scraggly boy was holding his collar and shaking it. Judging by his behavior there was no room for argument that he was a beggar.
His chubby chin was caked with grime. Next to him a child so thin and short that one could almost believe he was a Wear water strider was giggling.
“Puhhehehe look at you getting so wet.”
Both of them looked vaguely familiar. Where did I see these bastards? Ronan turned his head again. He laughed as if he was shocked by the pig holding him by the collar.
“Why are you even glaring at me? “Do you know who I am?”
It was the moment when the pig was about to threaten. Ronan’s fist jammed into his mouth. Kwasik! The broken tooth bounced back with the sensation of smashing a scallop.
“Heehee…!”
The water strider’s face hardened. The pig covering its mouth with both hands staggered and screamed.
“Now wait a minute…huh!!”
Sigh! Ronan immediately kicked the pig in the side. The pig flew all the way to the opposite wall and fell to the floor. There was no need to use his hands. Ronan started stomping on the pig with his hands in his pockets.
“You fucking beggar. “Am I your friend?”
“Kkuiik! “Please save me!”
“You sound like a pig too.”
“Please…! I was wrong! stop…!”
Ronan did not reply. The pig unable to withstand the beating foamed at the mouth and fainted. Only then did Ronan stop kicking.
“Hehe… I’m having bad luck.”
As soon as I entered the world of images I was covered in mud and beaten by beggars. It was the worst introduction. Ronan pulled down his pants and urinated on the fainted pig. For a moment he was worried that he might be getting tired of this in real life but he soon resigned himself to it.
‘A Secret will clean it up on its own.’
His mind was still hazy so he had to figure out the situation first. The water strider was frozen as if he were a statue watching the tragedy. After finishing his business Ronan looked back at the water strider and opened his mouth.
“Do you have any cigarettes?”
“Hehehe!”
The water strider screamed and ran away. Before long his figure disappeared out of the alley.
Both ends of the alley were emitting bright light. The sound of his horse’s hooves and the noise of people could be heard.
“Where should I look….”
Ronan took the coins from the pig’s pocket and took his steps. The moment he left the alley bright sunlight poured down on his head.
“…here.”
Ronan looked around. The scenery of the village felt somehow familiar. The wooden houses with pointed roofs the wide roads in their own way and the seemingly expensive carriages that seemed common all became familiar to me.
Ronan who finally succeeded in recalling muttered softly.
“This is the village where I surrendered myself.”
